Aug. 21, 2009
Kentucky vs. Cincinnati Box (.pdf)
Lexington, KY – Behind the first career goal from Kentucky junior forward Samantha Au and a perfectly placed goal by senior Jenna Goblirsch, the Kentucky women’s soccer team started off the Jon Lipsitz Era at Kentucky with an exciting 2-1 victory over Cincinnati at the UK Soccer Complex.
Au, who has battled injuries for most of her UK career, played 83 minutes in the contest posting two shots, one on goal. Au’s goal tied the game at one, and set the tone in the second half for Kentucky to win the always important first game of the season.
“It is huge,” said Au. “With all the new changes we are trying to go forward and really wanted to have a positive first game and nothing is better than winning.”
The Wildcats entered the locker room down 1-0, but Lipsitz maintained his calm persona and asked one simple question – “Where’s my team?”
“I have seen them train for 17 days and that wasn’t my team (in the first half),” said Lipsitz. “The things we’ve worked on, on a daily basis, we didn’t do and I just simply said `I want my team.’ I told them I truly believe that if we played the way we were capable and did things, including all the little detailed things we’ve worked on for the last 17 days we would win, but it was up to them.”
UK tied the game nearly three and half minutes into the second 45-minute frame on Au’s first career goal. Giuleana Lopez found Au in transition, lofting a ball over the Cincinnati defense that Au tracked down and fired into the upper right corner of the goal tying the game.
The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute when Goblirsch was left alone 25 yards out at the top right of the 18-yard box and buried a shot in the upper left corner of the goal.
Cincinnati grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when Julie Morrissey pushed a ball through the Kentucky defense to Emily Hebbler who took a couple dribbles and played a soft shot to the left of UK goalie Sydney Hiance for the Bearcat lead.
UK finished then night outshooting Cincinnati 7-5 including five shots in the second half. The Wildcats also tallied 10 corner kicks.
The Wildcats had their best opportunity in the first half nearly six minutes into the match, when Laura Novikoff took a header off a corner kick and hit the post. Giuleana Lopez took a shot off the rebound, but the ball was deflected away by a Bearcat defender.
Hiance got the win for the Cats in the goal allowing just one goal while registering a save in 90 minutes of action.
The Wildcats won’t return to action again until Saturday, Aug. 29 when they host in-state rival Louisville. The game will be a “Blue Out” and all fans will receive admission for just $1.
